Socialism at the Gate

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 195, 15 May 1936, Page 13

Socialism at the Gate

Sir,—l mite that the Welfare League makes a sneciul uoint of individual enterprise ; but when private . enterprise is thoroughly understood, is it not, when all is said and done, a survival of the fittest? As I have passed through all stages of life from that of a labourer. to a squatter, I should be iu a position, to iudge both the labourer's and capitalistic sides of lite, and to-day I can clearly see that if we wish to hold civilisation which means, iu plain English, law and order—then we are forced to realise that it is quite impossible to go on under the capitalistic system. Many years ago I saw things as the Welfare League.sees them to-daj. Now I can see the stupidity of my former ideas, and I would deem it a favour if the Welfare League would answer the following questions:— 1. Are banking rings, shipping trusts, and all other trusts run in the interests and for the benefit of our working classes? 2. Can or will the' world ever be run successfully without work and honesty? 3. With the aid of machinery and science should not the lot of the worker be very different to what it is to-day? •1. To a large extent is. it not a fact that under present conditions we. are trying to run this wicked world without work, and, worse still, without honesty? 5. Should the land belong to the State or to the individual? 6. When man and woman came to the earth, to whom did the land, the air, the rivers, the sea and the minerals belong? Is there anything that will ever help our people more than true, co-operation, and when the State, which is our people, controls anything and everything, what will that be but State co-operation? I am one of those who realise that every person more or less has some special liking fur some special calling, and I also realise that the day is fast approaching when that state of affairs will have come to pass, and when it has come our people will then go to their work with a spirit of pleasure. Quite the reversal of what prevails to-day, for I know that millions go to their daily tasks with a spirit of hatred more because they have to do something that is distasteful to them. In conclusion, let me say to all those who are responsible for its being in power to-day, to co-operate with our Government and thereby help it to meet with success.—l am ’ etC ” F. J. RYDER. Otaki, Muy 7.